Fresh energy and enthusiam at IRAD talks in South Africa
A rector from Down Diocese was one of the theologians from the Anglican and Reformed/Presbyterian traditions gathered in the South African city of Durban last week (31 August to 7 September 2017).
The Revd Helene Steed, Rector of St Mark’s Dundela, is a member of the group which met for the third International Reformed–Anglican Dialogue (IRAD). Their focus was to seek ways to grow closer in unity and mission around the world.
The initial meeting of IRAD in 2015 marked the first time that the Anglican and Reformed Communions met in a formal dialogue at the global level since 1984, when the Anglican–Reformed International Commission completed its agreement statement, ‘God’s Reign and our Unity’.
Anglican Communion Director for Unity, Faith and Order, Canon John Gibaut, was positive about the Durban meeting.
‘There was a fresh energy and enthusiasm which I found very encouraging,’ he said. ‘I believe it has set the tone for what will be avery interesting period of engagement between the two traditions.’
He said IRAD had reflected on what the gift of God’s communion with us meant, and its consequences between the two communions and their common mission to be the signs and servants of God’s design for the world.
Read the communiqué.